The Doll - Bolesaw Prus [179]
His voice grew more breathless and again livid colouring appeared on his cheeks. He sat down and drank some water: ‘Scoundrels … scoundrels …’ he whispered.
‘Please be calm,’ Wokulski said. ‘How much cash will you be able to let me have?’
‘I asked the Prince’s lawyer (for my own is a scoundrel) to collect the money due and hand it all to you, Stanisław … Thirty thousand altogether. And as you have promised me twenty per cent I’ll have six thousand roubles a year for my entire upkeep … It’s poverty, poverty!’
‘With that amount,’ Wokulski replied, ‘I can invest in a better business. You’ll get your ten thousand a year.’
‘Is that possible?’
‘Yes. I have a special opportunity.’
Tomasz jumped up: ‘My saviour! My benefactor!’ he said in an excited voice, ‘you are the noblest of men … But,’ he added, drawing back and pressing his hands together, ‘are you sure you do not stand to lose anything yourself?’
‘I? Don’t forget I am a tradesman …’
‘A tradesman! Come now,’ exclaimed Tomasz, ‘thanks to you I have learned that the word “tradesman” is today a synonym for greatness of soul, tact, heroism … You are a fine man!’
And he embraced him, almost weeping.
Wokulski made him sit down again for the third time, and at this moment someone knocked: ‘Come in …’
In came Henryk Szlangbaum, pale, with glittering eyes. He stopped in front of Tomasz, bowed to him and said: ‘Sir — I am Szlangbaum, son of the same “wretched usurer” you insulted in the shop in the presence of my colleagues and customers.’
‘Sir … I didn’t know … I am prepared to render you any satisfaction … first of all, I apologise … I was very angry,’ said Tomasz, agitated.
Szlangbaum calmed down: ‘Instead of giving me satisfaction,’ he replied, ‘please listen to me. Why did my father buy your house? Never mind that for today. But he did not cheat you — I’ll give you decisive proof of that. My father will at once let you have that house for ninety thousand — I’ll go further: the purchaser will let you have it for seventy thousand …’
‘Henryk!’ Wokulski interposed.
‘I have finished. Good-day,’ said Szlangbaum, and he left the room with a low bow to Tomasz.
‘What a disagreeable thing,’ Tomasz exclaimed after a moment, ‘I’m afraid I did utter a few bitter words about old Szlangbaum in the shop, but I didn’t know his son was there, upon my word … He will let me have the house back for seventy thousand after paying ninety thousand? Odd! What have you to say to that, Stanisław ?’
‘Perhaps the house is really only worth ninety thousand,’ Wokulski replied non-committally.
Tomasz began buttoning his clothes and tie. ‘Thank you, Stanisław,’ he said, ‘both for your help and for concerning yourself with my business affairs. But — Bela wants you to dinner tomorrow … Get the money from the Prince’s lawyer, and as to the percentage which you will be kind enough …’
‘I’ll pay it at once, six months in advance.’
‘I am most grateful,’ Tomasz went on. embracing him, ‘so — au revoir till tomorrow. Don’t forget the dinner …’
Wokulski conducted him across the yard to the gate, where the carriage was already waiting. ‘This heat is frightful,’ said Tomasz, getting into the carriage with some difficulty and assisted by Wokulski, ‘What a disagreeable thing about those Jews … He gave ninety thousand and is prepared to let it go for seventy … Fancy! Upon my word …’
The horses moved off in the direction of Aleje Ujazdowskie.
On the way home, Tomasz sat bemused. He did not feel the heat, only a general weakness and roaring in the ears. Sometimes it seemed to him that he saw differently out of each eye, or that both saw worse. He leaned back in the corner of the carriage, rocking as if drunk with each jolt. His thoughts and feelings mingled in a strange way. Sometimes he